Dragon Stories

Today we honor Wendy Gibson, an MSUM employee who served nine years in the United States Army. 

We honor Parker Wood, a senior at MSUM studying elementary education. He will soon begin service with the North Dakota Air National Guard.

Today we honor veteran Molly Johnson, a senior at MSUM studying ecology and evolutionary biology with a geospatial analysis emphasis. Molly is from Moorhead and was inspired to join the military through her family, as many of them also served. Her sister Heidi was in the army band prior to moving to Colorado and her other sister Ali served as an Air Force medic. Molly’s mom worked as a social worker for soldiers at the armory in Fargo and her father is captain of the Fargo Fire Department. 

Today we honor veteran Justin Kester, a first-year computer science student at MSUM. Justin’s experience in the military lent a hand in determining their major in school.  

Today we honor Jonathan Bauer, a second-year animation major at MSUM. He is originally from Montgomery, Minn. Jonathan served in the Army for three and a half years in active duty as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and wrecker operator. He first served in Camp Casey, South Korea, then in Fort Drum, New York.  

Today we honor veteran Brenda Norris, a staff member here at MSUM. Brenda is the Executive Director for Facilities Management and prior to that she worked on campus as a consultant on several capital building projects, beginning in 2002.   

Dilworth native Peyton Schwer is in his first year at MSUM studying computer information systems.

Jim’s military service began with the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served aboard a cutter and at the Special Services unit in Yorktown, Va

Amy Leupp served four years in the U.S. Airforce station in a Combat Comm unit, which required staying under 24-hour deployment notice.

We proudly honor all veterans who have served our country and recognize a few of our Dragon veterans for their commitment to serve and to protect.

Andrea Bertram served 6 years as a 42 Alpha (42A) in the Minnesota National Guard at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minn. She credits her service for pushing her out of her comfort zone into different leadership roles, changing her civilian life, and giving her the strength to be confident.

Brady is approaching his second year with the Minnesota National Guard as a 94F Computer Detection Systems Repairer. He’s currently an IT intern at Stoneridge Software. He credits his training for expanding his knowledge in his degree, and for meeting amazing friends along the way.